Wee Jenny hopes to build on the £10k she has raised for charity

Aug 29 2012 by Shona Mitchell, East Kilbride News

A YOUNGSTER from Stewartfield has now raised over £10,000 for charity – despite being just nine years old.

Jenny Cook has spent two years on a mission to raise awareness of Crohn’s Disease and Colitis in children.

The youngster has Ulcerative Colitis – a form of inflammatory bowel disease – and has undergone several major operations, including one to remove her large bowel.

However, the primary five Carmunnock Primary pupil has not let it get her down and she dedicates her spare time to raising funds for charities who have helped her along the way.

The thoughtful youngster is about to hold her second ‘Tea Jenny’ event. At last year’s event she raised a fantastic £3000 for the Catherine McEwan Foundation, a target she hopes to beat this year.

The foundation is geared towards helping young people in Scotland with Colitis and Crohn’s and was set up by Derek McEwan in memory of his mum, who lost her battle with Crohn’s aged just 38.

Jenny recently attended another fundraiser held for the charity which was organised by the magician Dynamo, who also suffers from Crohn’s.

The youngster was thrilled to meet the star and see his tricks up close. She also sold Christmas cards at the event, which raised £600 for the charity.

Jenny has also raised cash at various other events since last year’s Tea Jenny. She is now a guest speaker at many Yorkhill Hospital fundraisers, something she has done as recently as last Friday at Glasgow’s Marriot.

Her proud mum Kirsteen told the News: “Jenny has been really busy since last year’s event. She has become a great public speaker and is regularly invited to speak to guests at events in aid of Yorkhill Hospital.

“She talks about her experience of being a patient there and about what difference people’s donations make. She always gets a good response.

“As was the case last year, the Tea Jenny event will be co-hosted by radio personality Robin Galloway. Jenny has become firm friends with Robin in recent years and even has a regular spot on his daily radio show.

“We have a fabulous day planned at this year’s event and we hope as many people as possible will come along to support us.”

Tickets, priced £25, are now on sale and include a champagne reception, luxury afternoon tea, fantastic music including, Take That and Whitney Houston tribute acts, some great raffle prizes and of course Jenny.

You can buy your tickets from Kirsteen by calling her on 07885 215532 or e-mailing kirsteenjunecook@sky.com